Updated October 16, 2026. Quick answer: For 2026 the Social Security Administration’s substantial gainful activity (SGA) amount is $1,690 a month for non-blind individuals and $2,830 a month for statutorily blind individuals. A person earning more than the amount, after impairment-related work expenses, is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA. For 2027 the Social Security Administration set the amount at $1,770 a month for non-blind individuals and $2,950 a month for statutorily blind individuals, and the trial work period threshold at $1,270 a month, announced October 14, 2026 (SSA 2027 COLA fact sheet).
The 2026 amounts
| Item | Monthly amount, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Non-blind individuals | $1,690 |
| Statutorily blind individuals | $2,830 |
| Earnings that make a month count toward a trial work period | $1,210 |
SSA says “The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2026 is $2830. For non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA amount for 2026 is $1690.” It adds “SGA for the blind does not apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, while SGA for the non-blind disabled applies to Social Security and SSI benefits.” The Federal Register notice of the 2026 determinations lists the same two amounts and adds “The earnings threshold establishing a month as a part of a trial work period will be $1,210 for 2026.”
What SGA means
SSA explains that “To be eligible for disability benefits, a person must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). A person who is earning more than a certain monthly amount (net of impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA.” The amounts “generally change with changes in the national average wage index”.
Recent years
| Year | Blind | Non-blind |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $2,950 | $1,770 |
| 2026 | $2,830 | $1,690 |
| 2025 | $2,700 | $1,620 |
| 2024 | $2,590 | $1,550 |
| 2023 | $2,460 | $1,470 |
| 2022 | $2,260 | $1,350 |
These come from SSA’s historical table. SSA also notes that “The monthly amount of earnings that trigger a trial work period are lower than the monthly SGA amounts”, which the $1,210 figure shows. The trial work period is covered on the SSDI trial work period tracker.
Common mistakes
- Using the blind amount for a non-blind claim. The two amounts differ.
- Comparing gross pay. SSA counts earnings net of impairment-related work expenses.
- Assuming the trial work period uses the SGA amount. SSA says its trigger amount is lower.
Related: the SSDI trial work period tracker, SSDI and early retirement at 62, the 2027 COLA page, and the 2026 retirement numbers hub.
Sources
- Social Security Administration, 2027 COLA fact sheet: https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/cola/factsheets/2027.html
- Social Security Administration, Substantial gainful activity: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/sga.html
- Social Security Administration, Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2026 (Federal Register notice): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/03/2025-19763/cost-of-living-increase-and-other-determinations-for-2026
- The same Social Security Administration notice, as printed in the Federal Register (GovInfo PDF): https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-11-03/pdf/2025-19763.pdf
Sources: the primary documents linked above, read on October 1 and October 16, 2026. General information, not tax advice. Your own facts decide the outcome, and a preparer, the plan administrator or the agency itself is the right place to confirm anything consequential.